Cactaceae plant named &#39;Harmony&#39;

ABSTRACT

A plant variety of the Cactaceae family,  Schlumbergera truncata,  called ‘Harmony’ having a deep colored bloom characterized as R.H.S 46 B (red group). The new variety has a strong resistance to bud abscission, a strong propensity for buds to mature and flower, an erect growth habit, and an ability to grow well in relatively cold temperatures.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

The new plant is a species of Schlumbergera truncata.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new plant's varietal denomination is ‘Harmony.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the Cactaceae family. The new variety is named Schlumbergera truncata ‘Harmony’. The inventor is Thomas H. Boyle, a citizen of the United States.

Many varieties of Schlumbergera truncata tend to bloom in the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Because of their blooming time, there is a large market for these varieties during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons as a decorative plant. In fact, the common name for these plants is Christmas Cactus.

There are many commercially developed varieties of Christmas Cactus. Patented varieties include: (‘Lavender Doll’ (Cobia, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,690); ‘Christmas Charm’ (Cobia et al., U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,196); ‘Rudolph’ (Higaki, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,234); ‘Dasher’ (Higaki, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,367); and Rudolph II (Martens, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,487).

For many varieties of the species, bud abscission is a problem: a large portion of the initial buds that form on the plant fall off before they reach full maturity. Furthermore, many cultivars possess the further undesirable characteristic that many of the buds that do set on the plant fail to mature and bloom. Preferred cultivars resist bud abscission, as well as produce buds that have a propensity to mature.

The present variety, ‘Harmony’ was developed at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is a hybrid obtained by cross pollinating flowers of ‘Twilight Tangerine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,200) with pollen collected from flowers of ‘Dark Marie’ (a non-patented variety). ‘Harmony’ is similar to its maternal parent in branching architecture, upright habit, flower size, and flower shape. ‘Twilight Tangerine’ has light orange flowers and ‘Dark Marie’ has scarlet red flowers. ‘Harmony’ differs from both parents in its unique flower color and its tepals which do not reflex fully at maturity, which gives the flowers a wider, more aesthetic look. Phylloclade size for ‘Harmony’ is intermediate between the two parents. ‘Harmony’ exhibited excellent resistance to fungal pathogens in multiple pot plant trials conducted at the University of Massachusetts. Plants of ‘Harmony’ are cold-tolerant and will set flower buds under suboptimal temperatures. Fruits have not been observed on ‘Harmony’.

‘Harmony’ resists bud abscission, as well as produces buds that have a propensity to mature. The present variety sets many buds per phylloclade often 2 to 3, many of which reach full maturity and bloom generally 1 to 2.

This present variety is also outstanding for its propensity to grow tall and upright, thus giving it a dense appearance.

The pigmented portions of the flowers of the present variety are quite dark, although portions of the white sepaloid tube are visible when flowers are mature as well as the white basal portions of the blades. The pigmentation in the sepals of the new variety falls in the Red Group, with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society of London's Color Chart. Comparison Chart of Flower Pigmentation Color ‘Camillia’ ‘Harmony’ Unpatented New Variety commercial var. Mature Flower R.H.S. 46B R.H.S. 74 B (red-purple Pigmentation group) Color in Tepals Bud 1 mm in size R.H.S 74 B (red-purple R.H.S. 59 C (red- Color grp.) purple grp.) Medium Sized 2 mm tall ovary is 4 mm tall ovary is Bud - Ovary R.H.S. 143 C (green R.H.S. 144 A (yellow- Color group) green group) Medium Sized 7 mm tall tepals are 6 mm tall tepals are Bud - Tepal R.H.S. 145 D (yellow- R.H.S. 59 C (red- Color green group) with purple group) R.H.S 74 B (red - purple tips) Large Bud - 7 mm tall ovary, 6 mm tall ovary is 144 Ovary Color portions are R.H.S. A (yellow-green group) 145 A (yellow-green group), and portions are R.H.S. 60A (red - purple group) Large Bud - 27 mm tall tepals are 21 mm tall tepals are Tepal Color R.H.S. 45 B (red R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group) grp.) Color of mature R.H.S. 147 A (yellow- R.H.S. 137 B (green phylloclade green group) group) Angle of tube tube is slightly angled, w/respect to ovary upright/same ovary axis with respect to phylloclade on which it grows ‘Maria’ Unpatented ‘Prancer’ commercial var. Mature Flower R.H.S. 74B(red-purple R.H.S. 45 C Pigmentation group) Color in Tepals Bud 1 mm in size R.H.S. 74 B (red- R.H.S. 74 B (red- Color purple grp.) purple grp.) Medium Sized 5 mm tall ovary is 3 mm tall ovary is Bud - Ovary R.H.S. 145 A (yellow- R.H.S. 146 C Color green group) (yellow-green group) Medium Sized 5 mm tall tepals are 6 mm tall tepals are Bud - Tepal R.H.S. 74 D (red- R.H.S. 145 C Color purple grp.) (yellow-green group) with faintly purple tips Large Bud - 7 mm tall ovary is 145 9 mm tall ovary is Ovary Color A (yellow-green 145 B (yellow-green group) group) Large Bud - 20 mm tall tepals are 22 mm tall tepals are Tepal Color R.H.S. 74 B (red- R.H.S. 74 C (red- purple grp.) purple grp.) Color of mature phylloclade Angle of tube tube is very angled, w/respect to almost 90 degrees ovary to ovary, ovary upright/same axis on phyllalce

The pigmented portion of most of the blades of the sepaloid tepals, the tube laminating tepals, and the tube forming tepals is R.H.S. 46 B (red group), while in the remaining portions of the tepals, the pigmentation decreases in intensity.

Because the buds of the new variety have a greater propensity to mature, when grown under the proper conditions, at least one bud and often 2 buds per phylloclade will mature and bloom.

The distinguishing characteristics of the new variety are retained by asexually reproduced, successive generations.

In addition, the new variety also possesses the additional commercially desirable characteristics of:

-   -   1. a strong propensity to branch with minimal pruning, resulting         in a dense appearance;     -   2. erect stems, resulting in an upright appearance;

The inventor has asexually reproduced the new variety at a commercial nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. through three successive generations by cuttings, and has found that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed remain firmly fixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings serve, by color photographic means, to illustrate the new plant variety. The colors are represented as truly as possible using conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a number of plants grown from a number of cuttings in one pot of the new variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant, and the abundance of blooms.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing a side view of a fully opened bloom of the new variety on the plant.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph a fully opened bloom of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of blooms in various stages of development removed from a plant of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph of a bloom removed from the plant that has had its sepaloid series of tepals removed, some of which are shown next to the bloom.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph of a mature bloom removed from the plant, showing the highly reflexed tepals, and exposed stamens and style.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph of a mature bloom removed from the plant that has its outer tepals removed and then sectioned to show the interior of the ovary.

FIG. 8 shows a style and stamens of the present variety removed from the plant.

FIG. 9 is a color photograph of three phylloclades removed from the plant, showing buds growing from the apex of the phylloclades.

FIG. 10 is a color photograph of two phylloclades removed from the plant, showing buds growing from the apex of the phylloclades.

FIG. 11 is color photograph of two phylloclades, looking down on the apexes of the phylloclades.

FIG. 12 is a color photograph of a single plant removed from its soil that grew from a single phylloclade cutting.

FIG. 13 is a color photograph of a single plant removed from its soil, and with many of its branches removed, that was propagated from a single phylloclade cutting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety. The new variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal and cultural conditions. Color designations were made according to the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England.

The plants observed were grown in 6 inch pots. The tops of the plants observed were approximately 22 to 28 cm above the soil level. The following description is based on observations of optimally fertilized plants grown at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. The plants were mature. Temperatures in Half Moon Bay on average range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, and from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

-   Name: Schlumbergera truncata ‘Harmony’. -   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Cactaceae.         -   Tribe.—Rhipsalideae (Cactoideae).         -   Genus.—Schlumbergera.         -   Species.—Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran [Epiphyllum             truncatum Haw.; Zygocactus truncatus (Haw.) K. Schum.].             Bailey and Bailey and the staff of the Bailey Hortorium,             Hortus Third (1976).         -   Commercial.—Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus. -   Form: Epiphytic, shade-loving, succulent, leafless plant with     jointed and branched stems. -   Stems:     -   -   General.—Irregular with much branching (especially when             pinched) of upright, adventitiously rootable, flattened             phylloclades that have a prominent midrib (especially in             phylloclades at the base of mature plants) and prominently             toothed lateral wings. Branching can be encouraged in the             plant by pinching the top phylloclade.         -   Phylloclades.—General: The phylloclades are obovate to             oblong, elongated and flattened (particularly when young)             and have a transversely elongated, areole bearing, truncated             apex. From the transversely elongated apex, the wing margins             generally run straight or taper slightly to the basal             portions (or occasionally they flare outwardly somewhat,             where they then taper and merge through a pointed, basal             juncture with the phylloclade therebelow. The margins are             also toothed and an axillary areole is associated with each             tooth. Size: Length — Mature phylloclades that are over a             year old are usually between 45 mm and 53 mm. Width — Mature             phylloclades that are over a year old are usually 25 mm to             35 mm. Thickness — Basal phylloclades with up to three             levels of phylloclades above them can be as thick as 1 cm at             the midrib. Young phylloclades are as thick as 3 to 4 mm at             the center, and tapering to 1 mm near the edges. Color:             Mature phylloclades are predominately R.H.S. 147 A             (yellow-green group), while young phylloclades are             predominantly R.H.S. 146 A (yellow-green group). Midrib:             General — Extends longitudinally of phylloclade and             continuously through joints with laterally tapering cortex             at wing insertions. Pith surrounds the vascular bundles that             branch and provide lateral extensions of the vascular system             to marginal teeth. Texture — Smooth, waxy epidermis with wax             in small embedded scales and becoming corky in basal stem             areas with age. Wings: General shape — Generally flattened             from midrib cortex to tooth insertions with slight thinning             taper toward margins. Margins — Toothed (modified leaves).             Texture — Succulent to leathery with smooth, waxy epidermis             having wax arranged in small embedded scales and becoming             corky in basal plant areas with age. Teeth: General shape —             Generally flattened and tapering along margins from wing             insertion to an apex, having a hyaline, pointed spine with             nonpredicatable bending. Adaxial margin shape: Generally             concave, so that teeth project generally distally of the             phylloclade base in an alternate arrangement, but also with             both straight and convex adaxial margin tendencies. Abaxial             margin shape: Irregular with tendencies toward straight to             convex. Tooth Margins: Entire. Texture — Succulent to             leathery with a smooth waxy epidermis having wax in small             embedded scales and becoming corky in basal plant areas with             age. Number — Usually 3 to 4 on each side. Size — Teeth of             mature phylloclades are 1 mm thick at insertion point with             wings. Areole to apex dimension (adaxial margin side):             usually 3 to 8 mm in length. Areoles: Terminal areole —             Large, compound, elongated, oval-shaped with several             acicular bristles, copious multi-cellular hairs, and several             buds that may mature into either new phylloclades or             flowers. The opposite ends of the areole are located             adjacent to subsidiary areoles which are in turn located at             the axils of the uppermost teeth located at the distal end             of the of phylloclade. Axially areoles — Acicular bristles             without glochidia but having copious, short, brownish to             colorless, multi-cellular hairs. Areoles are sometimes found             in the basal portion of the phylloclade in association with             a vestigial tooth that is less than 1 mm in length.             (Vestigial teeth not considered in teeth number or length of             teeth.) -   Buds: Unarmored and ovid, generally R.H.S. 74 B (red-purple group)). -   Flowers:     -   -   General.—Sessile, zygomorphic, usually in pairs, triplets or             solitary, terminal, perfect, and epigynous with double             hypanthium and tepals (undifferentiated whorled sepals and             petals) having a spiral emergence as a perianth provided             with a sepaloid series of free tepals, a tube laminating             series of tepals, and a tube forming series of united             tepals.         -   Sepaloid series of tepals.—General: Free tepals inserted on             top of the ovary. Shape: Deltoid in outer members of the             whorl and grading inwardly on the whorl to tepals which are             ovate and less frequently elliptical. Tips are broadly             acuminate with some acute tendencies, and margins are entire             with sparse irregular teeth appearing mainly in the apex             areas. Texture: Succulent and glabrous outer whorl members             and grading inwardly in the whorl to silken blades with             fleshy basal areas. Number: Usually 7 to 9. Size (at full             bloom): Base-tip dimension — 5 mm to 26 mm. Width dimension             — 5 mm to 14 mm. Color: The sepaloid series of tepals are             predominantly R.H.S. 53 A (red group) with only small basal             portions lacking pigment, if at all. The interface between             pigmented upper portion and the non-pigmented lower portion,             and the attachment interface to the ovary can be R.H.S. 74 A             (red-purple group). The outermost and smallest tepals can             have R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green group) bases. The outermost             and smallest tepals can also tend toward R.H.S. 74 A             (red-purple group).         -   Tube laminating series of tepals.—General: Tepals inserted             on ovary and basally united below the throat as outer             laminations on the perianth tube and with progressively             greater amounts of basal fusion inwardly in the whorl.             Shape: Grading inwardly in the whorl with progressively             longer base-tip dimensions and with blade areas changing             inwardly from ovate to broadly elliptical and with acute             tips. Entire margins with sparse irregular teeth mainly in             apex areas. Texture: Succulent, slightly fleshly basal areas             with silken blades. Number: 6 to 11. Size (at full bloom):             Base-tip dimension — 35 mm to 55 mm. Width dimension — 15             and 20 mm. Color: The margins and distal ends of the tube             laminating series of sepals are R.H.S. 46 B (red group) on             both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The central, basal             portions of these tepals lack pigment. The attachment             interface to the tube can be R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple group).         -   Tube forming series of tepals.—General: Tepals basally             united to form a hollow perianth tube that is inserted on             ovary and equipped with a irregular carina (keel) at the             throat. Shape: Perianth tube — Elongated and ellipsoidal to             oval in cross-section. Blades — Generally elliptic to             broadly elliptic with ovate tendencies and with acuminate             tips. Entire margins with sparse, irregular teeth mainly in             apex area. Carina (keel) — Transcending and irregular.             Texture: Perianth tube — Thick, succulent, and slightly             ribbed. Blades — Translucent and silken. Carina (keel) —             Fleshy. Blade number: 5 to 8. Size (at full bloom): Base-tip             dimension — 50 mm to 70 mm. Perianth tube — Base to throat             length is 35 to 45 mm. Color (at full bloom): Perianth tube             — R.H.S 68 D (red-purple group). Blades — Margins and much             of the blades at maturity are R.H.S. 46 B (red group). The             inner interface between the blades of the tube forming             tepals and the tube is R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple group). The             central portions of the blades just above the tube are             R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Orientation at full bloom: The             blades of tube forming tepals are reflexed, the tube is             angled from the axis of the ovary.         -   Androecium (stamens).—General: Numerous exserted and             diadelphous stamens with one group having filaments basally             fused to the perianth tube and the other group having             filaments basally united to form a nectary housing.             Filament: General — Translucent and glabrous with anther             connective. Shape — Long, slender and gradually tapering             from base to anther connective. Texture — Glabrous and             silken. Color — Translucent white R.H.S. 155 D (white             group). Number — approximately 80. Size (at full bloom) —             Length: 40 mm to 65 mm. Anthers: Shape — Rod shaped. Size —             1 mm long. Texture — Course or grainy. Color (pollen color)             — R.H.S. 10 C (yellow group).         -   Gynoecium (pistil).—General: Compound, parietal placentation             with united style surrounded by an annular diffuse nectary             at its insertion. Style: General — Stout and inserted in             ovary. Shape — Elongated. Texture — Fleshy and glabrous.             Color — R.H.S. 46 B (red group) just below stigma, changing             to 71 B (red-purple group) at its base. Size (at full bloom)             — 65 mm long. Stigma: General — Exserted and erect with             anywhere from 4 to 7 inner marginally adhering lobes. Shape             — Elongated and tapering toward lobe tips and having             relatively blunt apices. Texture — Fleshy and smooth with             short glutinous hairs. Color — R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple             group). Size — 4 mm long. Ovary: General — Thin epidermis             and distally located concavity, and with a single cavity             usually having 6 or 7 carpels with numerous ovules. Shape —             Terete to ovoid and generally broadening from insertion to             floral end. Texture — Succulent and glabrous with thin outer             epidermis.         -   Fruit.—Generally flowers wither and become desiccated along             with the ovary and together they fall of the plant without             having produced fruit. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Cactaceae plant, substantially as herein shown and described. 